KIERAN LALOR

'Kieran Michael Lalor' was born and resides in Wappingers Falls, New York. He is a Republican candidate for Congress in New York's 19th congressional district in the 2008 election who is vying to unseat freshman incumbent John Hall.^[1] He is a graduate of Providence College and the Pace University Law School and works as a Social Studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Contents

Military service

Political career and background

External links

References

Military service

After the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Lalor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. At basic training, he was the second oldest recruit in his platoon. During six years of Marine Corps service, Kieran trained on Mount Fuji Japan, led a Fire Team of Marines in NATO training exercise Operation Battle Griffon in Trondheim, Norway and worked with Ukrainian Naval Infantry and Turkish Marines in Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations and amphibious assault tactics during Operation Sea Breeze in Odessa, Ukraine. Lalor's unit was mobilized and deployed to Iraq in March 2003. Lalor participated in security and humanitarian operations in the city of Nasiriyah, located along the Euphrates River in southern Iraq.

Political career and background

Main articles: New York's 19th congressional district election, 2008

Upon returning from Iraq, Lalor founded a Political Action Committee focused on promoting policies and candidates committed to victory in America's Global War on Terror, known as the Eternal Vigilance Society. The organization states that it draws its name and spirit from President Thomas Jefferson’s belief that "The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance." The organization has organized "support the troops" rallies and sent packages to overseas military personnel. He was able to raise more then $8,000 for the Boston Children's Hospital.^[2] Conservative pundit Michelle Malkin stated that "If you haven’t checked out Eternal Vigilance Society, you should."^[3]
Lalor was published in the ''New York Post'', ''Washington Times'', ''Poughkeepsie Journal'', ''New York Journal News'' and ''Times-Herald Record'' advancing Eternal Vigilance Society principles. He also appeared on the Fox News Channel and 770 WABC radio to articulate support for the war in Iraq and pro-active national security policies. His great interest in national security issues led him to declare his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in 2008.
Initial filings in 2007 showed Lalor, who was the first candidate to announce he was running against Hall, had raised over $20,000.^[4] The 19th district is considered vulnerable, and Hall has been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee.^[5] Lalor believes a Conservative candidate will have the best chance of unseating Hall. However, second quarter filings for 2007 showing Lalor's primary challenger, businessman Andrew Saul, had outraised both Lalor and the incumbent Hall by a large margin, and stated that he was also willing to spend a large portion of his personal fortune in the race, showing Lalor has an uphill battle.^[6]

External links

★ Official Kieran Michael Lalor 2008 Website

★ Website of the Eternal Vigilance Society

★ SourceWatch Congresspedia - Kieran Michael Lalor profile

References

1. Hall Rivals for '08 are Lining Up
2. Marathoning dad raises ,000 for children's hospital. Colaizzo, Pete. ''Poughkeepsie Journal'', April 17, 2007.
3. Eternal Vigilance Society Homepage, retrieved on July 20, 2007.
4. First potential Hall challenger steps forward. Wilbur, Martin. ''North County News'', 2007.
5. National GOP targets Hall for 2008. Elan, Susan. ''The Journal News''. May 27, 2007.
6. Scott, Brendan. "''Would-be challengers target Hall''". Times Herald-Record. July 21, 2007.